10 ARPA Grants that Will Benefit Tewksbury and Surrounding Communities

Ten local organizations and initiatives have funds earmarked under the current plan to spend federal Covid-19 ARPA funding.

The legislature released H-4269, an Act relative to immediate COVID-19 recovery needs, on Dec. 1. The bill includes $500 million in extra pay for essential workers and $500 million to reimburse the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund, leaving some $3.82 billion for discretionary spending. From that, Billerica, Lowell, Tewksbury and Wilmington will receive $2,205,000.

Other key allocations: $2,000,000 to the Committee for Public Counsel Services for the Public Defender Division to address pandemic-related case backlogs, $50,000,000 to create permanent supportive housing targeted at individuals and families classified as chronically homeless and $100,000,000 in grants to improve schools.

“The American Rescue Plan Act funding is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fund important health and safety projects in our Commonwealth,” said Rep. Tram Nguyen, who represents Tewksbury and Andover. “The funding that we advocated for on behalf of Tewksbury will benefit many who need help recovering from the ongoing pandemic. I am proud to collaborate with a strong state delegation, and we will continue working as a team to support the needs of this town.”

Nguyen says that the ARPA funding bill is on Governor Charlie Baker’s desk awaiting his signature.

Photo: Nguyen, second from right, joined (l-r) Rep. Dave Robertson, Rep. Vanna Howard and Tewksbury Democratic Town Committee chair Cathy Dwyer at a recent forum on redistricting.

Tewksbury: $170,000

$100,000 shall be appropriated to the town of Tewksbury for the design, engineering and construction of sidewalks and pedestrian crossings and associated storm-water infrastructure.

$50,000 shall be expended for Into Action Recovery, Inc. in the town of Tewksbury to maintain a substance abuse recovery program.

$40,000 shall be expended to the Wilmington/Tewksbury Chamber of Commerce, Inc. for small-businesses assistance, development and promotion to facilitate recovery from the impact of the 2019 novel coronavirus. (Benefits both Tewksbury and Wilmington, counted at 50%)

Lowell: $1,625,000

$50,000 shall be expended to Dwelling House of Hope, Inc. in the city of Lowell.

$1,500,000 shall be expended to the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston, Inc. for capital improvements at Western Avenue Studios in Lowell

$75,000 shall be expended for the city of Lowell to support the development of housing opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Wilmington: $270,000

$200,000 shall be expended for the town of Wilmington to support the redesign and repaving of the Deming Way senior housing parking access and sidewalks to increase handicap-accessibility and for repairs and upgrades to the state and federally funded municipal housing.

$50,000 shall be expended for the town of Wilmington to support the expansion of sidewalks and associated stormwater runoff infrastructure in the Andover street area;

$40,000 shall be expended to the Wilmington/Tewksbury Chamber of Commerce, Inc. for small-businesses assistance, development and promotion to facilitate recovery from the impact of the 2019 novel coronavirus. (Benefits both Tewksbury and Wilmington, counted at 50%)

Billerica: $140,000

$50,000 shall be expended for the Billerica Historical Society for capital improvements for historic sites in the city of Billerica.

$90,000 shall be expended to the town of Billerica for the renovation of the town hall auditorium.